Vincent Frank
It was noted earlier in November that star wing Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls were exploring trade possibilities ahead of the February NBA trade deadline.
Typically, a player of LaVine’s ilk would draw a strong amount of interest on the trade market. We’re talking about an athletic 6-foot-5 two-time All-Star who is averaging nearly 25 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 39% shooting from three-point range since the start of the 2018-19 season.
At issue here is LaVine’s injury history coupled with a bloated contract. According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, LaVine’s market is “very limited right now.” Johnson did go on to note that he believes a trade will still happen because “it’s an untenable situation that needs to be resolved” between LaVine and the Bulls.
- Zach LaVine contract: 5-years, $215.2 million
LaVine, 28, is set to make a combined $89 million over the next two seasons and has a player option worth $48.97 million for the 2026-27 campaign. He’s also missed extensive time to injuries over the course of his career.
Related: Zach LaVine and 5 Sacramento Kings trade targets
What Zach LaVine’s limited trade market tells us
All things equal, and contending teams would love to get themselves a piece of the high-scoring wing. But even more than his injury history, LaVine’s contract could end up being a deterrent. Most of the teams rumored to be interested in LaVine are hard-capped. This means that the salaries would have to pretty much match for a trade to be finalized.
Take the Los Angeles Lakers as an example. They would have to include a combination of D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura in order for the salaries to work out. By himself, LaVine is not an upgrade over those three. It also doesn’t help that he’s having a down season.
- Zach LaVine stats (2023-24): 21.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 43% shooting, 34% 3-point
Chicago was initially demanding at least two first-round picks and a high-upside young player in return for LaVine.
Given this most recent report, the Bulls will likely have to settle for less. Add in the fact that LaVine is known to be on the market, and that’s magnified further.
